Omniviolence: A Thrilling Dive into the Dark Side of Power and Technology
By: Richard Smith
A New Breed of Antihero in a World on the Brink
In Omniviolence, co-authors Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington deliver a high-octane thriller that explores the dangers of unchecked power in the digital age. With a cast of morally complex characters and a chillingly plausible premise, the novel forces readers to confront the frightening reality of a world where anyone can become an executioner with the right technology.
Jackson Cross, a young, tech-savvy antihero at the story’s heart, straddles the line between genius and villainy. Gareth Worthington admits that one of the challenges in writing Jackson was making him likable despite his morally ambiguous nature.
“When Stu and I started, I wrote Jackson as a sample chapter in first-person present tense,” Worthington explains. “Stu said he didn’t think readers could deal with being in that ‘little sh*t’s head’ for an entire book. So, we changed the POV and tried to write him authentically—the unempathetic teen with power and crypto—while still giving him some humanity. I think Joe Carboni allowed us to give Jackson redemption.”
A Hitman with a Conscience
If Jackson represents the reckless ambition of a new generation, then his unlikely counterpart, Joseph “Bones” Carboni, embodies old-school brutality in trying to find redemption. Carboni is a seasoned hitman with decades of blood on his hands, yet beneath his hardened exterior lies a man who loves cats and music and has his moral code—refusing to harm women or children.
Stu Jones sees Carboni’s relationship with Jackson as the novel’s emotional core.
“When he meets young Jackson, the protector and mentor in him comes alive,” Jones says. “He just hopes there’s enough good inside himself to shepherd Jackson along a slightly better path. It’s a beautiful picture of redemption for both of them.”
This dynamic between an aging assassin and a tech-savvy teen creates a gripping contrast that fuels much of the novel’s tension.
Pushing the Boundaries of Violence and Psychological Depth
Beyond the relentless action, Omniviolence delves into deep psychological struggles that test its characters and readers. Worthington notes that the formidable challenge wasn’t necessarily writing the harrowing scenes but finding the right balance.
“We wanted it to be brutal but have enough appeal that we wouldn’t scare off the majority of the readers,” he says. “It was no easy task, and some last-minute changes were made.”
Jones, a veteran cop, found specific themes challenging to write.
“I had a hard time with some of the scenes I wrote that implied child abuse,” he admits. “Also, a scene where a teen is convinced to self-harm. Those scenes are just super tragic and nip at a hidden part of me that has had to deal with this stuff for decades. Maybe it’s a way for me to exercise those demons. If you keep that stuff inside you, it can destroy everything.”
The raw intensity of these moments adds to the novel’s realism, making Omniviolence more than just a thriller—it’s a mirror reflecting some of society’s darkest truths.
When Fiction Becomes Reality
Though written over three years, Omniviolence’s themes feel eerily timely. The novel envisions a world where online grudges escalate into real-world executions aided by the power of technology.
“We looked at how people behaved online and imagined if that were taken into the real world,” Worthington explains. “People are brave behind a keyboard but, until recently, largely impotent to do anything. Now though? We have seen our book play out: online beef bleeding into the street, drone warfare, agentic AI, cloning of faces for nefarious purposes, and the rise of crypto. I could go on.”
The novel’s dystopian undertones resonate with the unsettling direction in which technology and power evolve. It’s a chilling reminder that the lines between digital and physical violence are becoming increasingly blurred.
The Dream Cast: Who Would Play Jackson and Joe?
With its cinematic storytelling, Omniviolence feels primed for a Hollywood adaptation. The authors already have strong ideas when asked who they envision playing their characters.
Gareth Worthington suggests Seth Carr as the ideal Jackson Cross, while Stu Jones has his eyes set on Sylvester Stallone for the role of Joe Carboni.
“After watching Tulsa King, I would love to see Stallone play Bones,” Jones says. “That guy is just brimming with the sort of old-school moxie that Joe Carboni has. You can’t manufacture that.”
A Thriller That Cuts to the Bone
With its fast-paced action, morally complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, Omniviolence is a thriller that doesn’t entertain but unsettles. Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington have crafted a story that forces readers to question the role of power, technology, and violence in today’s world.
For fans of cyber-thrillers, crime dramas, and stories of redemption, Omniviolence is a must-read. Whether on the page or, hopefully, on screen, this novel is a wake-up call wrapped in an adrenaline rush.
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Published by Jeremy S.
